Views sought on remote worker safety
SIX YEARS after the pandemic normalised home working for many, businesses and employees are being asked to explore how health and safety can be maintained when people are doing their jobs remotely.
Research conducted by BSI last year found that for the ‘hybrid generation’ (who began working during Covid-19), half who were working remotely or hybrid would leave their job if required to work fully on-site, while two thirds felt jobs requiring full-time presence on site should be paid more. Despite this, the trend appears to be shifting; Virgin Media found1 last year that 78% of UK office-based companies now require employees in the office at least three times per week.
Against this backdrop, a public consultation has opened for a new international standard designed to help organisations manage occupational health, safety and well-being risks associated with remote working. The Draft International Standard (DIS) for Occupational health and safety management — Guidelines for remote working (ISO 45008) offers practical guidance applicable not just to home working, but to mobile roles, client sites and other remote locations.
While the subject of remote versus in person working remains an occasionally fraught debate, little attention has been given until now on how health and safety can be supported when working offsite. As the draft sets out, however, it can introduce distinct occupational challenges, such as increased isolation, reduced access to supervision and support, or a broader range of physical, psychosocial and environmental risks.
The guidance is applicable to organisations of all sizes and sectors and can be used on its own or alongside Occupational Health & Safety (ISO 45001), which is widely adopted worldwide, with more than 185,000 certifications to it at last count2. The draft is available for public comment until 23 April 2026, providing professionals, organisations and other stakeholders with the opportunity to shape guidance responding to the rapid growth of remote and hybrid work.
Anne Hayes, head of sectors, BSI said: “Flexibility about where, when and how work is done can bring enormous value to employees and employers, boosting productivity and enabling people who might otherwise be locked out of work to contribute and support economic growth. As the nature of work continues to evolve, organisations need clear, practical guidance on how to protect the health, safety and well-being of workers beyond the traditional workplace – not just those at home, but people in roles that take them to client sites or mobile sites or other locations.
“Managing and supporting the health and safety of these workers is just as important as it for those who are site-based, but the considerations may be different, from the impact of isolation to lack of management presence, or other challenges. This draft guidance is intended to encourage shared responsibility between organisations and remote workers, helping to manage risks proactively and consistently in a wide range of real-world scenarios.”
ISO 45008 has been developed to address a recognised gap in existing guidance, providing organisations with a clear framework to assess risks, define responsibilities and implement effective controls wherever work is carried out.
Developed by ISO/TC 283 Working Group 8, with active involvement from UK experts through the HS/1 mirror committee, ISO 45008 reflects international collaboration and cross-sector expertise. The draft includes practical examples, flowcharts and checklists to support hazard identification, risk assessment and the ongoing review of controls as circumstances change.
The consultation is open to anyone with an interest in occupational health and safety, including employers, managers, health and safety professionals, remote workers and their representatives. Feedback received during the consultation period will inform the final version of the standard, which is expected to be published in 2027.
To provide feedback on the draft, visit https://bit.ly/4aRft07
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